WAYS TO HELP IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE FLORENCE

Founded by Wilmingtonian Jessie Williams, Edge of Urge artisan retail shop, located in downtown ILM and in Raleigh, is making a specialized tee, “North Freakin’ Carolina” (there is also an R-rated version) with proceeds benefiting Nourish NC. The ILM-based nonprofit feeds children in the area who depend on school meals as their primary nutrition. Nourish N.C. keeps them fed beyond school and year-round.edgeofurge.com/search?q=nourish+nc

UNCW has posted an emergency relief fund for students who need financial help after being adversely affected by the storm. The Dean of Students allocates funds.giving.uncw.edu/emergencyrelief

The Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC coordinates with local partner agencies during disaster relief to make sure communities do not face hunger after in the face of dire emergency.foodbankcenc.org

Catch the Food Truck is hosting a fundraiser in order to stock local food trucks who will feed folks free meals in displaced communities during the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. Major suppliers who want to donate are also welcome wherein food will be distributed among a network of trucks.facebook.com/donate/54665880911146

Pine Valley Market has become a second sanctioned kitchen of José Andrés World Central Kitchen, which has been set up for almost two weeks in ILM now. They’ve fed more than 100,000 meals to first responders, shelters, linemen, and emergency personnel (read: full story). Pine Valley will continue the work of feeding lower-income areas and folks in rural areas who can’t access food easily to continue making sure they receive nutritious hot food, despite the disaster around them. Folks can donate to their food costs, and any money left over will be donated back to WCK.facebook.com/donate/484856175317482/10107913812922269/

Partnering with Tractor Supply and the N.C. Cooperative Extension, Natalie Parrish, who grew up on a small farm in eastern NC, started a fundraiser to help our agricultural communities get back to growing our food and raising cattle. Parrish says, “Even if farmers have insurance, it does not always cover everything and sometimes it covers nothing because of all the exclusions. The farmers that feed us should not have to worry and stress about how they are going to provide for their families.”facebook.com/donate/473647433123154/10215503558816163

WARM already helps those in need, whether lower-income or disabled, as well as the elderly with housing repairs and renovation/building. On Monday, they’ll begin their extensive work to continue their mission in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence. They accept helping hands and donations to keep the efforts going.facebook.com/WARM.Wilmington

We Wilm Rebuild is a UNCW student-run organization, which is collecting relief supplies and taking donations from across the state. Full story: HERE.

The United Cajun Navy has been helping in relief and rescue efforts across southeastern NC, and is accepting donations and supplies. Full story: HERE.

Based in Senoia, GA, the fund was founded by Matt Ricahrdson to assist local agencies with relief efforts. They also welcome volunteer efforts and personal donations: (704) 998-8676.gofundme.com/HurricaneFlorenceResponse

ILM-filmed “One Tree Hill” has its actresses coming together with Random Acts to help their old stomping grounds amidst disaster. Folks can donate through the site below, hosted by Random Acts, or purchase t-shirts that say: “To: NC (image of the state), With: Love (image of a heart).” They’re $26, and designed by Sophia Bush, Danneel Ackles and Hilarie Burton.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/capefearlesschallenge

Two locals lost their homes in the midst of Hurricane Florence from felled tree destruction. Charlie Blanton and his wife and two girls, who reside in Carolina Place, and UNCW professor Chadwick Roberts and his two pups, who had to be rescued from the Princess Place neighborhood. These funds help cover costs ahead of any insurance waiting period.
Blantons: gofundme.com/64j93i8
Roberts: gofundme.com/vr8zj-relief-from-hurricane-florence

Wilmington is a service-industry-driven town, as we have popular beaches, an historic downtown, college campuses, multitudes of retirement communities, not to mention a burgeoning arts scene. Yet, 10 days without work from a hurricane is inconceivable to its numerous bartenders, wait staff, managers, cooks, chefs, busers, dishwashers, and the like. The Kriste family from downtown’s popular fine-dining spot, Pinpoint want to raise money to distribute between service-industry workers to help pay bills, rent and recovery efforts for those who need it. gofundme.com/service-industry-support

STATEWIDE/NATIONWIDE
A group of grassroots organizations have come together, including Durham Solidarity Center and Southern Vision Alliance, along with Blueprint NC, Environmental Justice Network, and Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), to have distribution centers set up across the state. Folks can donate personal and medical items, infant/children/pet provisions, emergency supplies, and more. They also accept cash donations.tinyurl.com/flodropoff

The NC Nurses Association and the NC Foundation for Nursing have teamed up to start a recovery fund to help nurses bounce back from the devastation of Flo in order to continue providing quality healthcare to the people of NC. Donations will be distributed to actively-licensed RNs in NC who have been impacted by Hurricane Florence. NCNA & NCFN will review applications (apply: ncnurses.org/foundation/ncfn-nurse-recovery-fund/) to determine who receives assistance based on a sliding scale of needs.portal.ncnurses.org/donate-now?reload=timezone

Bethenny Frankel may be known most for her “Real Housewives” stint, but her philanthropy work will be felt most in NC, on the heels of Hurricane Florence. Her Bstrong apparel can be purchased with 100 percent of the profits donated to Delivering Good and help support victims of national disasters. She arrived in NC this week to assess the damage and help.bethennyscause.org/hat

Encore Magazine regularly covers topics pertaining to news, arts, entertainment, food, and city life in Wilmington. It also maintains schedules and listings of local events like concerts, festivals, live performance art and think-tank events. Encore Magazine is an entity of H&P Media, which also powers Wilmington’s local ticketing platform, 910tix.com. Print and online editions are updated every Wednesday.